Spectropop - Digest Number 1058

From:Spectropop Group

Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003

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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: That Alan Gordon / Happy Together
From: Eddy
2. Re: Playboy Records
From: Bill George
3. Re: That Alan Gordon / Happy Together
From: Frank
4. Stu Phillips in NYC
From: bsgkr2000
5. Re: Hudson Brothers
From: Bill George
6. Check out Cadence Records Story
From: Mike Rashkow
7. Re: Lesley Gore - The "Small Talk" session
From: Jim Allio
8. Randy For Gov'nor
From: Alan Gordon
9. Re: Gold Star and other L.A. studios
From: Gregg Luvoxx
10. Re: Two Alan Gordons
From: Peter Lerner
11. Re: Playboy Records / Barbi Benton
From: Phil Milstein
12. Re: Hudson Brothers
From: Art Longmire
13. Re: That Alan Gordon / Melancholy Music Man
From: Peter Richmond
14. Re: Gold Star and other L.A. studios
From: Bryan
15. Re: Two Alan Gordons
From: That Alan Gordon
16. Re: The Hudson Brothers
From: Roger Smith
17. Mary Elizabeth (& other souls)
From: Bob Rashkow
18. Re: That Alan Gordon / Happy Together
From: Martin Jensen
19. Re: Melancholy Music Man
From: That Alan Gordon
20. Who Was Lois Fletcher?
From: Bob Rashkow
21. Re: Happy Together
From: That Alan Gordon
22. Re: Happy Together
From: That Alan Gordon
23. Re: Tim Gilbert 45
From: nadarskil
24. Re: Lulu / Bert Berns / Jimmy Page
From: Mick Patrick
25. Re: That Alan Gordon / The Magicians
From: Scott Charbonneau
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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 18:11:13 +0200
From: Eddy
Subject: Re: That Alan Gordon / Happy Together
Martin wrote:
> I just want to let you know that 'Happy Together' is one of my all-
> time favourite tunes. An incredibly catchy song - I can definately
> NEVER grow tired of it. Or Howard Kaylans maginificent vocal for
> that matter...
And that goes for the Zappa version as well !!
Eddy
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 12:15:19 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: Playboy Records
> Have any of the Playboy cuts ever come out on CD?
I wish someone would release the Barbi Benton LPs on CD. Her first two
were country, but the third one would probably interest many people on
this list, as there were songs from Neil Sedaka, Andrew Gold, Wendy
Waldman, Tom Waits, Janis Ian, etc.
Bill
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 18:21:19 +0200
From: Frank
Subject: Re: That Alan Gordon / Happy Together
Martin in Denmark wrote:
> I just want to let you know that 'Happy Together' is one of my all-
> time favourite tunes.
And just in case you had any doubt, same goes for me in Paris, France
where this classic was also covered in French and was a million seller
for Richard Anthony.
Frank
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 16:29:25 -0000
From: bsgkr2000
Subject: Stu Phillips in NYC
A final reminder that Stu Phillips will be in NYC this coming week.
He will be discussing his book and career at Barnes & Nobel, 1972
Broadway, 07 :00 PM til ? on Oct. 17th. On Oct. 16th, he will be
lecturing at The Film Music Showcase, at DvDojo 310 Bowery at 1st
St. 6:30 PM. Addmission for non members $15.00.
bsgkr2000
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 12:39:01 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: Hudson Brothers
I remember their Saturday morning program in the 70s, and I saw them
open for Olivia Newton-John once. But I don't remember hearing any
of their songs on the radio, and I certainly can't name any titles.
Is there anything that can be played to musica?
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 13:13:00 EDT
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Check out Cadence Records Story
Click here for the Cadence Records Story:
http://www.bsnpubs.com/cadence/cadencestory.html
I don't think Cadence Records has ever come up during my time with
the group. Very interesting and eclectic label. Link above.
I remember Jeannie Thomas always called him Mr. Bleyer--even when
she was speaking with other people. Had a lot of respect for him.
Rashkovsky
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 13:31:43 EDT
From: Jim Allio
Subject: Re: Lesley Gore - The "Small Talk" session
"Small Talk" was recorded February 12, 1968 at Century Sound Recordings,
produced by Koppelmann and Rubin. Lesley noted, in interviews she gave
in 1994, that the producers were exacting taskmasters who had specific
things in mind and an implacable vision for how the vocals would sound.
She said there was less collaboration than she was used to, but the two
sides from that session that have been released, the terrific "Small
Talk" and its B-side, the Laura Nyro-esque "Say What You See" are real
treats.
Interestingly, Gore also recorded "Sleep Tight," "Me About You" and "I'm
With You" at the same session. They really worked that girl!
Unfortunately, those tracks have yet to surface.
I do remember Jackie DeShannon's excellent take on "Me About You." What
a great song. Now there was one brilliant woman who not only wrote and
sang great songs, but could hop on and ride just about any mini trend in
pop in the 1960s.
Jim Allio
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 11:55:13 -0700
From: Alan Gordon
Subject: Randy For Gov'nor
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: A randy, new man:
> My piece came out in 1981 in Goldmine (James Brown cover) and got me
> a mention in Greil Marcus' Mystery Train (just the 3rd and 4th
> editions). That was worth more to me than the stinkin' $35 I got from
> Goldmine for my 32 page typewritten piece on the early Randy.
Congrats, Steve. It's always nice when someone you admire and respect
gives out thoughtful kudos.
Is Goldmine still run by the same folks that do (their sister mag?)
Comic Shop News? Maggie Thompson was one of the main shakers there.
> Got Faust and the interview disc with it, but have never gotten
> around to listening to it. His later stuff doesn't do much for me.
I just picked up the newest version of Randy's Faust. Mine has 2 discs,
the second one with demos. Is there another one with an interview
disc??? Man, I really love Faust. To me, it is the pinnacle of
sarcastic but questioning moral-play - being about the true nature of
virtue and cogent "religious linearity" (What the heck does that mean?)
The casting is pretty dang perfect too. James Taylor's oboe-like tones
as god... Bonnie Raite as the salty-singing sassy gal who's life goes
down easy and perfect... Linda Ronstadt as the smooth-voiced innocent
who falls in love with the perfect "bad-boy..." Don Henley - who is as
perfectly cast as perfect can be - as the self-centered bad-boy egotist
of angry insecurity... and of course Randy as the devil.
> "A Boy Like You Needs A Girl Like Me"
Is this on a boot? I've never heard it.
> "Mama Told Me Not To Come..." You get the picture of this overgrown,
> mama's boy fretting over the strange happenings at this party.
Randy's live version on his second(?) album is so cool.
peace,
~albabe
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 12:18:54 -0700
From: Gregg Luvoxx
Subject: Re: Gold Star and other L.A. studios
Actually, the strip mall mentioned here (the one with the Radio Shack)
is on the corner of Vine and *Melrose*. The strip mall on the corner
of Vine and Santa Monica does retain a bit of it's history in that
there's a Chinese restaurant in it called 'Wok and Roll'.
Another question: what exactly goes on in Art Laboe's studio on the
corner of Sunset and Highland nowadays and what is the history of that
building?
Also, is TG Studios on Selma still operational?
Yours truly,
GL
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 19:55:47 +0100
From: Peter Lerner
Subject: Re: Two Alan Gordons
Mark wrote:
> By the way I think it's great how the two Alan Gordons made room for
> each other. I don't know if I'll be so accomodating when the more
> famous Mark Frumento shows up.
Mark - you'll be OK. When the more famous Peter Lerner found me (he's a
jazz guitarist in Chicago) I felt good. He sent me his CDs (they're
great!) and now I pretend I can play guitar. No doubt he pretends he
works in local government in England - bet that wows the chicks!
Peter
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderator's note:
Thanks, Peter, your messages are not only witty and informative, they
are also always laid out in the preferred S'pop style, thus saving your
over-worked moderators some valuable time. If only all members submitted
such neat communications. Hint, hint!
PS: How's Karen and the kids?
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 16:05:31 -0400
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Re: Playboy Records / Barbi Benton
Bill George wrote:
> I wish someone would release the Barbi Benton LPs on CD. Her first two
> were country, but the third one would probably interest many people on
> this list, as there were songs from Neil Sedaka, Andrew Gold, Wendy
> Waldman, Tom Waits, Janis Ian, etc.
I know this is a ridiculous question to ask vis-a-vis Barbi Benton but,
could she sing?
--Phil M.
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Message: 12
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 20:04:34 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Hudson Brothers
Bill George wrote:
> I remember their Saturday morning program in the 70s, and I saw them
> open for Olivia Newton-John once. But I don't remember hearing any
> of their songs on the radio, and I certainly can't name any titles.
> Is there anything that can be played to musica?
I also remember their show from back in the seventies. I never even
knew until relatively recently that they were a recording group. I
just remember the theme song to the show, "We're Gonna Razzle Dazzle
You" I think it was called. I used to watch the show all the time and
really liked it, but can barely remember details about it now, other
than that it was a silly comedy show, kind of like a cross between
the Three Stooges and the Monkees. One detail I can remember-they
were always talking about a friend of theirs named Chucky Margolis.
Of course, the oldest brother went on to marry Goldie Hawn and is the
father of the actress Kate Hudson.
Art
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 21:03:50 +0100
From: Peter Richmond
Subject: Re: That Alan Gordon / Melancholy Music Man
Good to have you aboard Alan:
What's the story behind the Righteous Brothers "Melancholy Music Man",
a complete departure for them at that point with this hauntingly
wonderful song, coupled with a different producer in Joe Wissert and
arranger Nick De Caro - was this written specifically for the
Righteous Brothers, I have never heard of any other artists recording
this great song.
They also recorded another two of your songs "Don't Give Up On Me"
which was used as the B side of "Melancholy Music Man" on the Verve
10507 single plus an unissued track recorded at the same time in
February 1967, "What Ever Happened To Happy" - can you give us any
insight to these two songs.
Peter
Righteous Brothers Discography: http://vspace.virgin.net/p.richmond/
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Message: 14
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 13:41:26 -0700
From: Bryan
Subject: Re: Gold Star and other L.A. studios
> Another question: what exactly goes on in Art Laboe's studio on the
> corner of Sunset and Highland nowadays and what is the history of that
> building?
I'm not sure if you're referring to the Original Sound Records offices
(perhaps the studio was down the street at one time?), but if you are
referring to Original Sound, the label is still operating -- with Laboe,
Paul Politi and a small staff -- and are located at 7120 Sunset, which
is very near the corner of La Brea (not Highland). The label continues
to license their masters for release on compilations, etc.
Bryan
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 13:57:06 -0700 (MST)
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Two Alan Gordons
Peter, have you ever seen the old Bogart movie "The Two Mrs. Carrols"?
That Alan Gordon
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Message: 16
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 17:11:43 -0400
From: Roger Smith
Subject: Re: The Hudson Brothers
> I also remember their show from back in the seventies. I never even
> knew until relatively recently that they were a recording group. I
> just remember the theme song to the show, "We're Gonna Razzle Dazzle
> You" I think it was called. I used to watch the show all the time and
> really liked it, but can barely remember details about it now, other
> than that it was a silly comedy show, kind of like a cross between
> the Three Stooges and the Monkees. One detail I can remember-they
> were always talking about a friend of theirs named Chucky Margolis.
> Of course, the oldest brother went on to marry Goldie Hawn and is the
> father of the actress Kate Hudson.
I used to watch the show mainly to see Rod Hall and his Emu. :-)
Mark Hudson, of the Hudson Brothers, is now a producer. He's produced
recordings for Aerosmith, Hanson, Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, the Baha
Men, Celine Dion, and others. He and Ringo recently formed their own
record label.
-- Roger
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Message: 17
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 17:15:49 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Mary Elizabeth (& other souls)
It's so great to have Preston Ritter and "that" Alan Gordon on the
group. Preston, your drumming with the Electric Prunes is
staggeringly brilliant! Certainly a big part of what made "...Too
Much to Dream..." such a cool track!
My ? for Alan is, Did you and Garry write a tune called "Mary
Elizabeth"? I have a version by "The Magic Fleet" (DJ copy) on the
short-lived Hot Biscuit label off Capitol, that also brought us the
Epic Splendor and Timothy Carr, etc. This was also produced by
Koppelman & Rubin if I'm not mistaken. Great song--was this
originally done by the Osmonds during their period of only "local
fame"?
About West Coast studios. Anybody have any idea what stands currently
in West LA or Culver City (can't think of the exact address,
somewhere around 12200 on Washington?) on the old ARLEN site? OK,
Pacific Coasters, start your engines....!!
Bobster
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Message: 18
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 21:17:38 -0000
From: Martin Jensen
Subject: Re: That Alan Gordon / Happy Together
Me:
> I just want to let you know that 'Happy Together' is one of my all-
> time favourite tunes. An incredibly catchy song - I can definately
> NEVER grow tired of it. Or Howard Kaylans maginificent vocal for
> that matter...
Eddy:
> And that goes for the Zappa version as well !!
AND for Flo & Eddie's reggae re-recording from 81.
Actually, I was thinking about the often referred story of how the
Turtles came across 'Happy Together', finding it among a bunch of
demos.
According to All Music Guide: "As legend has it, a demo of "Happy
Together," recorded in a sparse, acoustic guitar and handclap
arrangement, was passed on by a number of popular artists of the day
only to be unearthed by the Turtles."
I find it incredible that ANY artist would pass up on such a great
song! Alan, if you read this, was 'Happy Together' written with any
specific artist in mind?
With regards
Martin, Denmark
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Message: 19
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 14:18:34 -0700 (MST)
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Melancholy Music Man
Peter Richmond wrote:
> What's the story behind the Righteous Brothers "Melancholy Music
> Man", a complete departure for them at that point with this
> hauntingly wonderful song, coupled with a different producer in Joe
> Wissert and arranger Nick De Caro - was this written specifically
> for the Righteous Brothers, I have never heard of any other artists
> recording this great song.
>
> They also recorded another two of your songs "Don't Give Up On Me"
> which was used as the B side of "Melancholy Music Man" on the Verve
> 10507 single plus an unissued track recorded at the same time in
> February 1967, "What Ever Happened To Happy" - can you give us any
> insight to these two songs.
Hi Peter, I was in a group called the Magicians. Garry Bonner was
lead singer. John Townley played guitar, I played drums and Allan
"Jake" Jacobs played guitar. "Melancholy Music Man" was written for
and about Jake. He is one of the great Village personalities ever.
He enriched my life in so many ways. His later work can be found on
his Bunky and Jake and Jake and the Family Jewel`s recordings. The
Righteous Brothers did a fine job on "Melancholy Music Man" but my
favorite is "Don`t Give Up On Me". "Whatever Happened To Happy" [also
done by Bobby Darin] was an overproduced, over the top session and
as I recall, Bobby Hatfield said he felt like a sideman on the date.
You can hardly hear him!!! Hope that give`s you a little insight.
Best, That alan gordon
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Message: 20
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 17:24:52 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Who Was Lois Fletcher?
BTW, according to Joel Whitburn, Lois "I Am What I Am" Fletcher had
previous recording experience, all right; she was a member of Randy
Sparks' Back Porch Majority (there's another collectible bunch of 45s
for us folkies...!)
Bobster
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Message: 21
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 14:28:35 -0700 (MST)
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Happy Together
Frank, thank you so much, Music is the language that knows no borders.
I would love to hear the French version by Mr. Anthony. Stay in touch
and be well.
Warmest Wishes, That alan gordon
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Message: 22
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 14:33:48 -0700 (MST)
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Happy Together
Eddy. It's all good!!! Some day soon I will share with all the group,
the inspiration and how the song "Happy Together" was conceived and
where it was written.
Best, That alan gordon
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Message: 23
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 17:23:08 EDT
From: nadarskil
Subject: Re: Tim Gilbert 45
Clark Besch writes:
> I played "If We Stick Together" to Musica. After listening to it
> again, I still love it! Been in my faves since I taped it off KIMN
> Denver when it was out. Finally found a copy 10 years later. Not
> sure now about the PF Sloan reference I made above, but certainly a
> Dylan-like lyric. Very odd stuff.
Thanks Clark, much appreciated. Quite different from the Rainy Daze
recordings.
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Message: 24
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 21:15:26 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Lulu / Bert Berns / Jimmy Page
Albabe wrote:
> I was only a very peripheral fan of Lulu until a friend of mine
> let me watch a few of her appearances on "Ready, Steady, Go!"
> that were recorded before she had a pop hit in the U.S. I
> remember actually getting quite frisky, watching and listening
> to her, as her whiskey, gravel-soaked, powerfully sultry voice
> pealed the veneer off my heart...She belts the blues as well, or
> better than most supposed "blues" artists. What friggin' pipes!
Agreed, Lulu was, and remains, a sensational vocalist. I guess
America remembers the wee lass best for "To Sir, With Love", a
beautiful vocal performance, not to mention a really great song.
However, Lulu's best work was already behind her by this time. Her
earlier recordings for UK Decca (Parrot in the USA) were
absolutely magnificent, especially the five tracks she made with
the great Bert Berns producing:
Here Comes The Night
(Bert Russell)
UK Decca 12017 / US Parrot 9714
The original version, pre Them, so there.
That's Really Some Good
(Rufus Thomas)
UK Decca 12017
US original: Rufus & Carla.
I'll Come running Over
(Bert Russell, Ilene Stuart)
UK Decca LP 4719 / US Parrot 9714
No US version of this song exists.
You'll Never Leave Her
(Bert Russell, Mike Stoller)
UK Decca LP 4719
US original: the Isley Brothers.
She Will Break Your Heart
(Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Calvin Carter)
UK Decca LP 4719
US original: the Impressions.
Jimmy Page played guitar on all of these tracks, recorded in October
1964.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 25
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2003 03:48:04 -0000
From: Scott Charbonneau
Subject: Re: That Alan Gordon / The Magicians
Am a big fan of the Magicians' work; Lady Fingers in particular.
Simply stunning track, great harmonies and guitar work.
Scott
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